AMMAN – A group of key Syrian political opposition figures have ruled out dialogue with Damascus before President Bashar Al-Assad steps down and pledged their support for the armed revolt. The consensus was reached at talks in Amman attended by 25 opposition figures ahead of a key meeting of the Syrian National Council (SNC) in Doha to decide the future of the exiled opposition bloc, according to a statement received Saturday. Former premier Riad Hijab, who has defected, and long-time dissident Riad Seif were among those who took part. “Assad and his entourage leaving power is a non-negotiable precondition for any dialogue aimed at finding a non-military solution, if that is still possible,” they agreed. The Amman meeting also came out in support of “efforts underway to put in place a unified political body for the whole of the opposition.” It examined “the means to unify the opposition in a way worthy of the sacrifices (of fighters) on the ground and to secure the international, regional and Arab support needed to overthrow the regime,” the statement said. The group backed the rebel “Free Syrian Army and the movements behind the revolution on the ground as legitimate means to topple the criminal regime.” Meanwhile, Syrian rebels launched a dawn assault Saturday on a strategic airbase in the north of the country, trying to disrupt strikes by warplanes and helicopters that pound rebel-held towns and give the Assad regime a major edge in the civil war. The capturing of the base — and holding on to it — would be a major achievement for the rebels, who often complain they are outgunned by government forces. – Agencies
